Orlando Pirates booked their place in the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup after a 4-2 comeback win over AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday evening.
The home side, in front of a sold-out arena, took the lead just on the half-hour mark when Deon Hotto’s backheel clearance found Hendrick Ekstein just outside the area.
He made no mistake with a stunning effort past Sipho Chaine into the bottom corner of his net but the Buccaneers managed to draw level from a contentious penalty call.
Taariq Fielies was adjudged to have fouled Makhehlene Makhaula just inside the area and Patrick Masangwanyi made no mistake to make it 1-1 before the half-time whistle.
Pirates then took control after the break and Kabelo Dlamini put them ahead from a direct freekick leaving Veli Mothwa flat-footed.
But that lead didn’t last long as five minutes later Fielies levelled matters with a towering header past Chaine to set up a nervy finale for both sets of fans.
Makhaula, however, had a script of his own as he netted his first goal for Pirates to win the game late on against the club he was signed from last season, and previously captained.
It was his first goal in professional football since 2017, when he scored for Free State Stars against the now-defunct Bidvest Wits.
Maswanganyi secured a brace in the 93rd minute as Usuthu chased the game to add gloss on the scoreline, with 20 goals now scored in six games.
The Buccaneers now join Mamelodi Sundowns and Stellenbosch in the semi-finals of the domestic cup, while TS Galaxy and Chippa face off for the final last-four spot.
